O'Brien to Coach in National Festival

Published on May 2, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, PA- Johnstown Chiefs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Toby O'Brien has been selected to coach the 15 year old team from the Mid-American District of USA Hockey, of which Pennsylvania is part of. The team will take part in the US Olympic Festival in St. Cloud, MN in August.

USA Hockey is the governing body of hockey in the United States. They control everything from learn to play programs at the youth level, up to the National Teams and Olympic Teams. USA Hockey splits the country into nine geographic districts and runs the National Jr. Olympic Festival each summer with the goal of evaluating the top players in the United States and funneling that talent into the United States National Teams.

At the National Festival teams of players selected from each of the nine USA Hockey Districts will compete for National Championship, while developing their skills with and against the best US born players at their age group. This is done while being evaluated by the coaches and staff of the US National Program.

The National Festival includes competition at the 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 age levels.

The 88 Festival process will begin with 200 + invite only players attending a three day try-out in Sylvania (Toledo), Ohio. From there, 60 players will be selected to attend a weeklong development camp at Kent State (Ohio) from June 22nd - 26th. At that camp, O'Brien with the help of the staff will select 18 players and 2 goaltender who will travel to St. Cloud, Minn. August 1st - 7th to take part in the 88 National Festival. The 88 birth year is very important, as this group makes up the Canadian Hockey League (Major Junior) Draft class of 2004 and will be heavily watched not only by the USA Hockey National Program, but scouts and agents representing all the Major Junior Teams of the CHL. Many US College coaches and NHL scouts also attend to get early reads on the countries top talent.

"To be invited to coach at the National Festival is quite an honor. I have worked with USA Hockey in the past, but just got back involved in this region over the past two years. Even though the players are only 15 years old, they are the best our country has to offer and that excites me," said O'Brien. "The CHL will draft many of these players this coming year and with the NHL draft age at 18, the next few years are critical in these players' futures. Bottom line however, it will be fun to be with kids again, especially ones so talented. I just want to thank the folks at the Mid-Am District, in particular Dave Fielding, Ron Belanger and Bill Switaj and the Johnstown Chiefs for allowing me this opportunity. It should bring a very positive image to the Johnstown Chiefs and provide a very good networking opportunity with CHL, NHL, College, USA Hockey personnel, as well as many agents, who also represent players we will be recruiting," O'Brien added.

The national teams begin at the National under 17 Team, National under 18 Team, National Junior Team (under 20) and the pinnacle the United States World Championship and Olympic teams.

Chiefs season tickets are now on sale. For more information call (814) 539-1799 or 1-800-SLAPSHOT.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from May 2, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central